The Making of Modern America- The Beginning of the American Century Please answer the questions on this page in complete sentences. The “hyperlinked” words will lead you sites that will expand your understanding and may be useful for obtaining primary sources. A.) The Wizard of Menlo Park 1.) What were some of the important inventions that Thomas Edison patented? Which do you think has the most impact today? The invention that Thomas invented was the electric bulb, the electrified railroad, and the movie came. The invention with the most impact would be the electric light. Right now in the USA there is light bulb running with electric. 2.) Describe Thomas Edison’s early life and his rise to fame and wealth. Thomas went through a lot because he was deaf. He didn’t finish school and he had to work hard with everything he did. He was treated wrong while in school. His second wife tapped codes out on his knee so he can understand. 3.) What were some of the other innovations or changes in research that Thomas Edison pioneered? What were some of his mistakes? He build the first modern research lab. Picking the wrong type of electricity B.) An Age of Innovation and the Birth of Modern Culture 1.) Explain how changes to communication, mass media, transportation, and sports marked the beginning of a new era in America. The depression of the mid-1890s was ending and a new wave of immigrants from eastern and southern Europe. The end of the depression brought with it new technology. Many new things and ideas came from this boom in science and the economy. It marks a new era because all the new things, like magazines, the radio, and television, had such a huge impact on American culture, pushing us forward to become a notable world power. 2.) What types of changes took place within the economy and politics? The Republicans had control of the nation, and kept it until the Great Depression in the 1930s. The economy was improving; the nation was emerging from a depression that had begun in the mid-1890s. 3.) What was “neurasthenia” and how did doctors explain its’ causes? How did Americans feel that they compared to the generation that had fought in the Civil War? Neurasthenia is a psychological disorder that affected many Americans in this era. Doctor’s blamed this disease, the symptoms of which include hayfever, premature balding, insomnia, hypochondria, hysteria, and many others, on “over civilization.” The critics of this generation said that they were pathetic, pampered, physically and morally enfeebled weaklings compared to the generation of the Civil War C.) The Revolt against **Victorianism** 1.)How did sports and music symbolize a change in the outlook of American women and men? Men and women enjoyed jazz, ragtime, and patriotic music, creating a bold and energized atmosphere. The ideal woman changed from the proper Victorian to a strong, athletic woman, increasingly leaving the home to become educated and join the work force as well as pushing for suffrage 2.) Why did parks become important to designers of cities? How did the Columbian Exposition of 1893 demonstrate that Americans were not interested in sobriety and self-control? The designer of Central Park created it so that there was a sense of peace and self-control he wanted to instill in the increasingly rowdy public. At the Columbian Exposition in 1893, however, self-control was completely forgotten. There were exotic dancers, a huge Ferris wheel, and other loud attractions. 3.) How did places like Coney Island help to satisfy the general public’s desire for changes from the manners and behaviors of the 1800’s? It was a much more relaxed atmosphere than usual. Men were free from their suits and ties and the working class could get a taste of higher living D.) The Rise of Mass Communication 1.) What are some examples of the mass communication that early 20th century Americans could enjoy? Widespread tabloids and newspapers, advertisements were also becoming widespread during this time. Movies were now possible thanks to one of Edison’s inventions, television began broadcasting in the late thirties, and radio communication was beginning to take off. 2.) What types of strategies did newspaper publishers such as Hearst and Scripps use to increase readership and build their businesses? Comic strips, advice columns, women’s pages, fashion pages, and sports pages were added to newspapers in order to draw people in. 3.) What is “yellow journalism” and how does it compare with some of the media available today? Yellow journalism is entertainment journalism. It would be like People, or the National Inquirer. They are journals that are for entertainment purposes only. 4.) How did modern magazines begin to differ from their 19th century cousins? They were now freer to focus on issues the people need to know instead of what the government wants the people to know. They were also more free to include more entertainment in their magazines. 5.) What is a “muckraker” and how do newspapers increase their sales by using them? A way of exposing societal issues in journalism. These issues often involved human rights issues such as the conditions in prisons, asylums, sweatshops, etc. The use of these increased sales because they were edgy and totally different from the previous Victorian era in that the public was now aware of the problems in society. 6.) How does modern advertising emerge and what elements or characteristics do advertisers use to make people purchase their products? Before this time advertisers didn’t use slogans or catch phrases, these were now commonly used. Companies would send the message of indulgence and luxury, encouraging the consumer to spend. This was totally opposite of the Victorian message of saving, thrift, and denying gratification. 7.) What are the long-term effects of changes in mass communication? Huge amounts of people could be reached easily and quickly. Entertainment was a huge focus of people on this era, this way of thinking has stayed put. The barriers of small neighborhoods were broken and all people, no matter race or economic status, could have the same information and entertainment available to them.
Please answer the questions on this page in complete sentences. The “hyperlinked” words will lead you sites that will expand your understanding and may be useful for obtaining primary sources.
A.) The Wizard of Menlo Park
1.) What were some of the important inventions that Thomas Edison patented? Which do you think has the most impact today?
The invention that Thomas invented was the electric bulb, the electrified railroad, and the movie came. The invention with the most impact would be the electric light. Right now in the USA there is light bulb running with electric.
2.) Describe Thomas Edison’s early life and his rise to fame and wealth.
Thomas went through a lot because he was deaf. He didn’t finish school and he had to work hard with everything he did. He was treated wrong while in school. His second wife tapped codes out on his knee so he can understand.
3.) What were some of the other innovations or changes in research that Thomas Edison pioneered? What were some of his mistakes?
He build the first modern research lab. Picking the wrong type of electricity
B.) An Age of Innovation and the Birth of Modern Culture
1.) Explain how changes to communication, mass media, transportation, and sports marked the beginning of a new era in America.
The depression of the mid-1890s was ending and a new wave of immigrants from eastern and southern Europe. The end of the depression brought with it new technology. Many new things and ideas came from this boom in science and the economy. It marks a new era because all the new things, like magazines, the radio, and television, had such a huge impact on American culture, pushing us forward to become a notable world power.
2.) What types of changes took place within the economy and politics?
The Republicans had control of the nation, and kept it until the Great Depression in the 1930s. The economy was improving; the nation was emerging from a depression that had begun in the mid-1890s.
3.) What was “neurasthenia” and how did doctors explain its’ causes? How did Americans feel that they compared to the generation that had fought in the Civil War?
Neurasthenia is a psychological disorder that affected many Americans in this era. Doctor’s blamed this disease, the symptoms of which include hayfever, premature balding, insomnia, hypochondria, hysteria, and many others, on “over civilization.” The critics of this generation said that they were pathetic, pampered, physically and morally enfeebled weaklings compared to the generation of the Civil War
C.) The Revolt against **Victorianism**
1.) How did sports and music symbolize a change in the outlook of American women and men?
Men and women enjoyed jazz, ragtime, and patriotic music, creating a bold and energized atmosphere. The ideal woman changed from the proper Victorian to a strong, athletic woman, increasingly leaving the home to become educated and join the work force as well as pushing for suffrage
2.) Why did parks become important to designers of cities? How did the Columbian Exposition of 1893 demonstrate that Americans were not interested in sobriety and self-control? The designer of Central Park created it so that there was a sense of peace and self-control he wanted to instill in the increasingly rowdy public. At the Columbian Exposition in 1893, however, self-control was completely forgotten. There were exotic dancers, a huge Ferris wheel, and other loud attractions.
3.) How did places like Coney Island help to satisfy the general public’s desire for changes from the manners and behaviors of the 1800’s?
It was a much more relaxed atmosphere than usual. Men were free from their suits and ties and the working class could get a taste of higher living
D.) The Rise of Mass Communication
1.) What are some examples of the mass communication that early 20th century Americans could enjoy? Widespread tabloids and newspapers, advertisements were also becoming widespread during this time. Movies were now possible thanks to one of Edison’s inventions, television began broadcasting in the late thirties, and radio communication was beginning to take off.
2.) What types of strategies did newspaper publishers such as Hearst and Scripps use to increase readership and build their businesses? Comic strips, advice columns, women’s pages, fashion pages, and sports pages were added to newspapers in order to draw people in.
3.) What is “yellow journalism” and how does it compare with some of the media available today? Yellow journalism is entertainment journalism. It would be like People, or the National Inquirer. They are journals that are for entertainment purposes only.
4.) How did modern magazines begin to differ from their 19th century cousins?
They were now freer to focus on issues the people need to know instead of what the government wants the people to know. They were also more free to include more entertainment in their magazines.
5.) What is a “muckraker” and how do newspapers increase their sales by using them?
A way of exposing societal issues in journalism. These issues often involved human rights issues such as the conditions in prisons, asylums, sweatshops, etc. The use of these increased sales because they were edgy and totally different from the previous Victorian era in that the public was now aware of the problems in society.
6.) How does modern advertising emerge and what elements or characteristics do advertisers use to make people purchase their products?
Before this time advertisers didn’t use slogans or catch phrases, these were now commonly used. Companies would send the message of indulgence and luxury, encouraging the consumer to spend. This was totally opposite of the Victorian message of saving, thrift, and denying gratification.
7.) What are the long-term effects of changes in mass communication?
Huge amounts of people could be reached easily and quickly. Entertainment was a huge focus of people on this era, this way of thinking has stayed put. The barriers of small neighborhoods were broken and all people, no matter race or economic status, could have the same information and entertainment available to them.